Best Poker tips from movies

It may be true that Hollywood idealises the art of poker and that movies often lavish in fantastical glamorised version of the game. But if watched carefully, and if taken with a pinch of salt, there is some advice that can be taken from the movies that could potentially make you a better player.

There’s certainly a skill to being able to ‘spot the tell’ and read your opponents cards from their body language, and very few have been able to master it. Matt Damon’s character in the movie Rounders is able to spot an important tell in the climax of the movie. Being able to understand your player and their movements is important in poker. One way to practise your poker skills before heading to the casino is online at bwin. You don’t have to wear a tuxedo for this and you can improve your poker knowledge from the comfort of your own home.

Which leads me on to the next advice which the movies seem to give; be in it for the long haul. Poker is certainly a game of ups and downs and those new to the game may be disheartened if they lose early. But with poker, the longer you’re in the game, the more you’re likely to see some winnings. This is certainly the case for James Bond in his classic film Casino Royale. Bond finds himself down by $5 million but knowing that he’s in it for the long haul he manages to find a new backing for $5million, and knocks the other players out until he wins. Perhaps a lesson in optimism is to be learnt there.

The last rule is; don’t get too attached. This may seem like an issue for new and inexperienced players but even the best poker players are guilty of this. In Lock Stock, card-sharp Eddie is certainly guilty of this. Perhaps his chances of winning weren’t that great anyway, seeing as he was playing against cheating Harry ‘The Hatchett.’ But Eddie gets attached to his cards from the start, even though it’s a bad hand and it sees him lose the game.

There are certainly some tips to be gathered from movie versions of poker if you’re looking to improve your play.